Exhibiting-case



(No Model.) J. vM. GLAPP.

EXHIBITING GASE.

No. 322,903. Patented July 28, 1885.

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Wlhl E 5 5 E 5 WW %f. iZJ/M UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE JULIUS M. OLAPP, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

EXHIBITING-QASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 322,903, dated July 28, 1885.

Application filed November 17, 1884. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JULIUs M. CLAPP, of Newton, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Exhibiting-Cases, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

My invention relates to an exhibiting-case,

intended to be used on the counter of a store for displaying small articles, such as laces, threads, &c., being adapted to display samples of the different articles to be exhibited without permitting them to be handled or removed by purchasers except when permitted by the attendant, who has the power to render any desired portion of the case accessible to a purchaser, so that the samples or articles may be removed therefrom. The exhibiting-case consists, essentially, of a number of tiers of drawers or boxes so arranged that each higher tier partly overlies the onebelow it, leaving, however, a small portion of the lower tier exposed, so that the articles or samples may be viewed therein by the purchaser. The portion of each tier that is left uncovered or exposed by the one above it is preferably provided with a transparent cover protecting the articles from being handled or removed, although the purchaser may see them for the purpose of making a choice. The drawers or boxes of each tier, except the upper one, are arranged to slide backward and forward, and are provided with operating knobs or handles at the rear side of the case, adapted to be operated by the attendant, who is thus enabled to push any desired one of the drawers or boxes forward after a selection has been made by the purchaser, causing the said box to project and be uncovered by the one above it, and thus enabling the purchaser to remove and more closely examine the article previously selected. Suitable stops limit the sliding movement of each of the drawers, so that it can never be pushed forward far enough to remove its support from the one above it. The drawers or boxes of the upper tier may be provided with a cover, and may be either arranged to slide forward like the lower ones, or the said cover may be removed therefrom to afford access to the contents of the said upper tier of boxes.

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exhibiting-case embodying this invention, and Fig. 2 a vertical section thereof.

The case comprises a series of tiers, a 0?, &c., of drawers or receptacles, each of which tiers may contain any desired number of separate drawers, boxes, or receptacles, placed side by side, those of each lower tier proj ecting a short distance from the tier above, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 so that articles and samples contained in the forward or uncovered or exposed portion of each receptacle may be seen by a person standing in front of the case.

The projecting portion of each drawer or receptacle is preferably provided with a transparent cover or shield, b, which may be of glass, preferably curved as shown, to afford as clear a view as possible of the articles in the receptacle, and at the same time giving an ornamental appearance to the whole case. These transparent shields or covers prevent persons from handling or removing the contents of the boxes, except when permitted by an attendant, as hereinafter described.

The drawers or receptacles a a*, 850., are shown as supported in a frame consisting of end pieces, a, which may be paneled to give an ornamental appearance, and are connected by transverse pieces d d (1 &c.,which receive the rear ends of the different drawers a of, &c., retaining them in the proper position, with the front portion of each exposed to view, as previously described. Each drawer is provided with an operating device or handle, 6 i &c., sliding in passages in the frame-pieces d d*, &c., and provided with knobs or projections 6, which are suitable to be taken hold of by the operator, and which, by their engagement with the frame-pieces (2" (1 ,850., also serve as stops to limit the outward movement of the connected box, one of which is shown in dotted lines-as pushed forward to its full extent. w

The stops 6 of the drawer-operating devices stop the outward movement of each drawer beforeit has passed fully from the one above it, so that the support is never removed from any drawer by the outward movement of one below it. This forward or outward movement of a drawer leaves an uncovered space between the shields b and the drawer above which is not pushed forward, thus afiording access to the interior of the drawer that is pushed forward, so that the contents may be removed therefrom after the attendant has pushed the drawer forward, and while his attention is directed to the person examining the article.

If desired, partitions may be used, asshown at m, Fig. 2, to separate the portion of the drawer covered by the shield 12 from the remainder, so that sample articles may remain in the said shielded portion inaccessible to the customer or purchaser, although they may be viewed for the purpose of making selections.

It is obvious that vertical partitions similar toand parallel with the end pieces 0 may be employed between the different series of drawers, and the latter supported and guided by projections from the said partitions, as in ordinary cabinet-work, instead of each being supported upon the one below.

The boxes or receptacles a in the highest horizontal tier are provided with a cover, 0, and the said boxes may, if desired, be arranged to slide forward from below the said cover like the lower ones; or the said cover 0 may be, as shown in this instance, hinged upon the remainder of the frame-work, so that it may be raised by the attendantto afford access to the contents of the upper tier of receptacles.

It is obvious that the shape of the different parts of the exhibiting-case may be varied, and that it may be curved, if desired, in which case the drawers may be somewhat wedgeshaped, their sides tapering toward the center of curvature of the case.

In order to prevent the sliding boxes or drawers from being moved except by the attendant, they are provided with looking devices consisting of pins or projections k, which engage the frame-pieces d d, &c. 'The openings in the said frame-pieces through which the rods 2 6', &c., pass are provided with notches n, which permit the locking-projections k to pass through when placed in line with the said notches by the partial rotation of the rods z" 6 8m.

- I claim 1. The series of tiers of sliding boxes or receptacles, those of each tier normally projecting beyond those above them, combined with independent transparent shields for the projecting portions, each box being adapted to be slid to uncover the same and render its contents accessible, substantially as described.

2. An exhibiting-case consisting of the frame- Work and series of tiers of drawers therein, those of each tier normally projecting a portion of their length from those above them, combined with drawer-operating devices arranged at the rear of the drawers, whereby any desired one of the drawers may be pushed forward to render the entire interior accessible, substantially as described.

3. The frame-work and series of tiers of 6 sliding drawers, and an upper tier of stationary boxes, those of each tier normally projecting a portion of their length from those above them, combined with a removable cover for the stationary boxes in the upper tier, sub stantially as described.

4. A series of tiers of sliding boxes, those of each tier normally projecting a small amount from those above them, each box having its main portion normally covered, and being adapted to be uncovered by sliding the box, combined with locking devices for the said boxes, substantially as described.

5. An exhibiting-case consisting of the framework and series of tiers of drawers therein, those of each tier normally projecting a portion of their length from those above them, combined with draweroperating devices provided with looking devices, substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JULIUS M. OLAPP.

Witnesses:

J os. P; LIVERMORE, W. H. SIGSTON. 

